Japan medical visit checklist · 2026
What to Bring to a Doctor, Clinic or Hospital in Japan
A complete preparation checklist for foreign residents, tourists, parents and international patients, including insurance documents, medication information, records, payment and language support.
Key points
- Residents should generally bring a registered My Number Card or Health Insurance Eligibility Certificate, where applicable.
- Tourists should bring a passport, travel-insurance details and a payment method.
- Everyone should prepare a medication list, allergy information and a concise description of the medical problem.
- Bring relevant reports, imaging, referral letters and vaccination information when they could affect care.
- Arrange interpretation before the appointment when detailed medical communication is likely.
For urgent or life-threatening emergencies
Call 119 in Japan for an ambulance or fire emergency. Do not delay emergency care while collecting documents or searching for an English-speaking clinic.
JNTO’s visitor hotline operates 24 hours a day in English, Chinese and Korean: 050-3816-2787 within Japan or +81-50-3816-2787 from overseas.
Medical visits in Japan can involve registration forms, insurance verification, medication questions and payment before or after the consultation. The process is usually easier when your documents and medical information are organised before arrival.
Requirements vary according to residence status, insurance, the facility and the type of care. Contact the provider in advance whenever possible.
Quick master checklist
- Photo identification
- Japanese insurance eligibility or travel-insurance details
- Appointment confirmation and clinic address
- Referral letter, where required
- Current medication list
- Allergy and adverse-reaction information
- Relevant records and test results
- Brief symptom summary and timeline
- Payment method
- Interpreter confirmation
- Maternal and Child Health Handbook, where applicable
- Insurer and emergency contact details
1. Identification and health-insurance documents
Foreign residents
- Residence card or other accepted photo identification
- My Number Card registered for health-insurance use, called a Myna Hokensho
- Health Insurance Eligibility Certificate, or Shikaku Kakuninsho, where applicable
- Municipal medical-subsidy documentation, where applicable
Tourists and short-term visitors
- Passport
- Travel or international health-insurance information
- Insurer assistance telephone number
- Policy or membership number
- Payment method in case direct payment is required
2. A complete medication list
List every prescription medicine, over-the-counter product and clinically relevant supplement. Include both the brand and active ingredient where possible.
| Information | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine name | Brand and generic or active ingredient | Overseas and Japanese names may differ. |
| Strength | Amount per tablet, capsule, patch or dose | The same ingredient can be sold in different strengths. |
| Dosage | How much you take at one time | Supports safe prescribing. |
| Frequency | Once daily, twice daily or as required | Helps prevent duplication and interaction problems. |
| Purpose | Condition or symptom being treated | Clarifies why the medicine is used. |
Bring medicines in original labelled packaging when practical. Clear photos of the box, blister pack and pharmacy label can also help identification.
Review MedicTranslate’s prohibited and restricted medication guide and medication import and customs-document pathway.
3. Relevant medical records and referrals
Bring records that could materially affect diagnosis, treatment or continuity of care.
Specialist care
- Referral letter
- Recent specialist reports
- Relevant laboratory results
- Imaging reports or images when requested
- Operative or pathology reports
Ongoing or chronic care
- Diagnosis summary
- Recent discharge summary
- Medication changes
- Monitoring results
- Usual treating provider details
MedicTranslate’s medical-document translation service can assist with prescriptions, referral letters, reports, laboratory results and discharge summaries.
4. A concise symptom and allergy summary
- Main symptom and where it occurs
- When it started and whether onset was sudden or gradual
- Whether it is improving, stable or worsening
- What makes it better or worse
- Associated symptoms such as fever, rash, bleeding or vomiting
- Medicine, food, latex and contrast-media allergies, including the reaction
MHLW publishes multilingual materials intended to support communication with foreign patients. Complex histories may still benefit from professional translation.
5. Payment methods and insurance claims
Some facilities accept cards and electronic payments; others may require cash. Tourists and uninsured patients may need to pay directly and claim reimbursement later.
Before the visit
- Ask which payment methods are accepted.
- Check whether a deposit is required.
- Confirm whether prior insurer authorisation is needed.
- Ask whether direct billing is available.
- Confirm fees for interpretation and documents.
Keep after the visit
- Itemised invoice
- Official receipt
- Prescription and pharmacy receipt
- Medical certificate if required
- Reports and insurer forms
See Japan’s Healthcare System for Foreign Residents and Visitors for broader insurance guidance.
6. Translation and interpreter support
Confirm language support before attending. “English available” can mean reception support only rather than a full English consultation.
Ask whether the doctor speaks your language, whether an interpreter is available, whether advance booking is required and whether translated records can be submitted beforehand.
MedicTranslate can assist with in-person or remote interpreter arrangements. See also How to Find an English-Speaking Doctor or Clinic in Japan.
7. Additional items for children and pregnancy care
For children
- Maternal and Child Health Handbook
- Vaccination records
- Child medical-subsidy certificate, where applicable
- Current weight and age
- Paediatric medicine details
- Relevant birth and development information
For pregnancy-related care
- Maternal and Child Health Handbook
- Pregnancy records and estimated due date
- Recent tests and ultrasound reports
- Medicines and supplements
- Documents requested by the maternity provider
The Maternal and Child Health Handbook records health information during pregnancy, childbirth and childhood. Bring it to maternity and paediatric appointments when you have one.
8. Appointment and location information
- Appointment date and time
- Patient or reservation number
- Clinic or hospital name
- Department and doctor
- Address, building and floor
- Instructions about referrals, fasting or tests
- Interpreter confirmation
- Late-arrival and cancellation instructions
9. Optional comfort and practical items
- Phone and charger
- Glasses and hearing aids
- Water unless fasting or fluid restrictions apply
- Notebook or secure note-taking method
- Mask if the facility requests one or you have respiratory symptoms
- Trusted support person, if permitted
Do not eat, drink or take medicine contrary to procedure or fasting instructions.
What to confirm after the visit
- Diagnosis or working diagnosis, where provided
- Medicine name, dose, timing and duration
- Warnings and what to do if symptoms worsen
- Follow-up date and location
- How test results will be communicated
- Receipts, reports and claim documents
Frequently asked questions
Do residents still need an old Japanese health-insurance card?
Should tourists bring their passport?
Should I bring the actual medicine or only a list?
Do medical records need Japanese translation?
Can I use a translation app?
Should I bring cash?
What should I bring for a child?
Can MedicTranslate provide medical advice?
Need help preparing for a medical appointment in Japan?
MedicTranslate can assist with medical-document translation, interpreter arrangements and communication support for selected healthcare appointments.